Biodynamic Association
Assisting farmer (maternity cover), Old Plaw Hatch Farm, West Sussex
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Job Title: Assisting farmer (maternity cover)
Location: Old Plaw Hatch Farm, Plawhatch Lane, Sharpthorne, East Grinstead, West Sussex, RH19 4JL
Start & End: June 2026 – June 2027
Reporting to: Farm Team and Board of Directors
We are looking for a full-time assistant farmer to fill a position for maternity cover at Plaw Hatch Farm. This person will be able to flexibly assist with our different farm enterprises involving animal husbandry, relief milking cows, general maintenance and electric fencing. Working with poultry and sheep will also be required. The right person for this role will have an interest in organic dairy systems, including milking our dairy herd of 30 cows. We are happy to train milking for the right candidate; however, experience with cattle is essential.
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We are a community farm, so communication, flexibility and a positive mindset within the farm team are central to the role. The right person will be self-motivated to work in a team but also independently, have good attention to detail, and good record keeping. As a biodynamic farm we care about our farming practices, our environment and being kind to each other and the land and would look for someone who aligns with this too.
Key Responsibilities
The right person must be willing to participate in a diverse range of farm tasks, assist colleagues and undertake responsibilities to contribute to the overall running of the farm, involving:
- Animal husbandry especially cows, chickens and sheep (possibly pigs) both summer and winter tasks
- Milking cows & milking parlour cleaning
- Moving livestock
- Electric fencing for rational grazing
- Feeding and watering livestock
- Driving machinery
- Assisting with other husbandry tasks. This might include medicating, cleaning chicken houses, bedding, maintaining water troughs, setting up electric fences, etc.
- Basic maintenance and upkeep of machinery
- Estate management
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Salary & Hours
Full-time hours (40-48 hours per week), with statutory pro-rata holidays. Salary depending on experience, and accommodation in a shared house is provided. Working days will be 5 days a week, with some weekend work. Flexibility is essential.
This is a maternity cover role, so start date is June 2026 and end date is June 2027.
How to Apply
To apply for the position please send an email with your CV and motivational letter to Maya Lock: maya@plawhatchfarm.co.uk
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